I.W. Apgar

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

I.W. Apgar

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

I. W. APGAR, the genial proprietor of the Flanders Hotel, at Flanders, Morris county, New Jersey, has inherited in rich measure the sturdy traits which distinguished his ancestors. The name of APGAR was originally spelled EBGERT, then EBCHER, still later EBGAR, and finally assumed its present form about the time that John Adam EBGAR came from the Swiss borders of Lombardy, Italy, to Philadelphia in 1749. We cannot trace the descent of I. W. APGAR directly to this ancestor, as through various causes early records have been lost and destroyed, but there seems no reason to doubt that all bearers of the name in America now, had their ancestors in Lombardy.

Benjamin APGAR, father of I. W. APGAR, was born in Morris county, in 1844, and lived in Hunterdon county since 1872. There he owns and cultivates a farm of fifty acres. During the Civil War he volunteered his services in defense of the rights of his country, and was an active participant at the battle of Gettysburg. He married Annie SUTTON, who was born in 1850, and they have had children: Mrs. L. HULL, of Rockaway; Mrs. Jennie RALLY, of Gladstone; Mrs. Sadie FARLEY, of Hunterdon county; George B., of Hunterdon county; Grover Cleveland, of Hunterdon county; Elizabeth, residing with her parents; I. W.

I. W. APGAR was born in Morris county, New Jersey, March 15, 1871. The following year his parents moved to Hunterdon county, and it was in the public schools of that county that he obtained his educational advantages. As he grew older and stronger he assisted his father in the cultivation of the latter’s orchard farm of 108 acres, and was engaged in farming all his life until he purchased his present hotel in 1913. This building was erected in 1801, and is in an excellent state of preservation. It contains seventeen rooms and is the oldest hotel in that section of the country. Mr. APGAR has made numerous improvements in the place since he became the owner, and it is considered a model for its size. The service is prompt and up-to-date, the appointments are of the best and the cuisine leaves nothing to be desired. Added to this is the personality of mine host himself, which is not one of the least attractions of the place. He is a Democrat in political matters, and a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Mr. APGAR married Myrtle, a daughter of James LUTZ, of Hunterdon county, and they have had children: Lulu, who married Oliver PHILHOWER, Hunterdon county; Annie, who assists her mother in the management of the home; and Marion E., who is still at school.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)